Principal’s Message for 2011-2012

Welcome to the Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE). Our building is home to over 580 students in grades K-8 who come from all areas of Westchester County and New York City. This will be a historic year for CSEE as it opens its doors to a new middle school program in Yonkers. The 12.5 million, three-story state-of-the-art building, will serve an additional 300 more students at full capacity. The expansion is equipped with a gymnasium and stage, science lab, and a media center/library. This monumental 28,000 square-foot construction project was financed through tax-exempt bonds.

It is our belief that the consistency a K-8 program offers prepares students for the rigors of high school and beyond. Our vision is to educate students through the critical periods of their education and start them on their road to becoming life-long learners who are able to compete in a challenging and complex world and job market.

CSEE is a unique and special place for many reasons. In addition to the academic responsibility we have as a school, our aim is to motivate, inspire and instill a love for learning in all children. Our vision for education has proven effective as evidenced in CSEE winning numerous recognition awards for its achievements and exemplary practices, which has made CSEE a top performing school in Yonkers and in New York State.

Our goal at CSEE is to create a generation of thinkers and doer’s. We expect our students to develop an understanding that hard work pays off and that success comes to those who believe in themselves and who aspire to achieve great things in life. It all begins with students striving to meet and exceed New York State Standards in all key academic areas and having the ability to articulate and perform proficiently in reading, writing, science, technology and math.

Students at CSEE benefit from a learning environment that is warm, nurturing and supportive of students. Our understanding that every child has their own individual learning style and needs helps CSEE design differentiated lessons that meet the unique needs of every child. We believe that fostering the intellectual development of students helps maximize their potential for academic success.

Character development is another important component in CSEE’s program. Through our Core Virtues program, our lessons instill the concept of respect for self and others and engage students in projects that promote their understanding of the civic and moral responsibility they have to themselves and to the world around them. Our monthly themes culminate in a celebration that recognizes students who demonstrate virtuous qualities in their day-to-day interactions with peers and others. CSEE promotes good citizenship in students.

Highly qualified professionals that are specialists in the instruction of specific grades and subject areas lead our programs. The staff operates with the fundamental belief that teamwork and collaboration supports our standards for excellence that are intended to promote student achievement as well as the professionaldevelopment and the success of our staff here at CSEE. CSEE is a community of team players and lifelong learners.

We invite parents, community and supporters of CSEE to join us in making a difference. As models and mentors, the imprints we leave in the hearts and minds of our students are virtues children will learn to live by throughout their lifetime. Our contributions to our students’ education and our high expectations of ethics, self-discipline and academic excellence are the key to our students achieving long-term happiness, success and independence. CSEE wants to see students persevere and succeed.

I look forward to continuing to serve the CSEE school community and finding new ways to make the learning experiences for our children better, more meaningful and enriching. The staff and I are committed to making our school the best place for students to learn. Therefore, your continued support and your participation in all of our efforts will make this and much more possible.

Thank you for entrusting your child’s education to the Charter School of Educational Excellence.

Sincerely yours,

Catalina Castillo
Principal